London outlines ethical ground rules for smart city tech

London has published its Emerging Technology Charter which sets the expectation for data-driven systems deployed in the UK capital to be transparent, sustainable, trustworthy and respect diversity.

The charter, first announced in July last year, aims to ensure the city can capitalise on the benefits of new technologies while minimising risks. It comes alongside rapid advances in areas such as sensor networks, virtual reality, drones and autonomous vehicles, and algorithmic decision-making.

Theo Blackwell, Chief Digital Officer for London, said: “We want to foster a trustworthy environment for innovation to flourish, and to do so responsibly.”

Adoption of the guidelines is voluntary but encouraged for local government, public services and technology companies.

Privacy assessment

London will also establish a register of Data Protection Impact Assessments (DPIAs), which are legally required in any data processing with a high risk to individuals’ privacy and recommended for any other major project which requires the processing of personal data.

“When a new technology is deployed it’s not easy for Londoners to find out about how privacy risks have been identified and managed. We think it’s important for transparency and good practice that these are published in one place and open to scrutiny,” said Blackwell.

The charter calls on those who create and deploy technology to explain it clearly, “setting out in plain English to the public what the technology is, what it can do, why it is being used and, where appropriate, the legal and ethical basis for doing so.” This includes being clear about any additional functionality, even if it is not being used, and the circumstances and process by which that functionality could be switched on in the future.

Users of services should have control over how their data is used and data collection should be justified and well maintained so it is clear where the data comes from and how it was collected.

Data charter

This week, business group London First also launched the London Data Charter. Drawn up by law firm Pinsent Masons, the seven-principle framework makes way for private sector businesses and public sector organisations to share data to tackle challenges such as meeting net-zero goals and addressing digital exclusion.

There is typically no shortage of data but it is often fragmented across institutions and inaccessible.

Companies already committed to the London Data Charter include Arup, BP, BT, FTI Consulting, Grant Thornton, Lloyds Banking Group, Microsoft, Oliver Wyman Forum, Pinsent Masons, Thames Water, Uber, and UK Power Networks.

David Lutton, Executive Director for Connectivity at London First, said: “The London Data Charter is a huge milestone – it is the first time London’s major businesses have together agreed to collaborate on the sharing of anonymised and secure data, for the benefit of the capital. The pandemic has shown the vital role data can play in coordinating responses at a city-level – the potential for data-led projects to positively impact our lives is limitless.

“This charter has clear principles on privacy and data sharing, which is critical to boosting confidence and harnessing the economic and social benefits that data-led transformation can bring.”

Pilot projects

London First said work is already underway with Uber and UK Power Networks to better understand where placing electric vehicle charging points will make the biggest difference for drivers by mapping traffic levels and existing power networks.

The Data Charter came out of the work of the London Data Commission, made up of public and private sector organisations, which focused on the key challenges facing London that data-sharing could help to address.

It also recommended the creation of a cross-sector Data Board for governance. This is expected to be set up early next year.

Lutton said that as projects get underway, the ambition is to create more data-sharing resources.

“This is likely to include template MOUs and data-sharing agreements,” he said. “These will be created in relation to specific projects to ensure they are tested with real examples and then added to the London Data Charter toolkit. It is expected the London Data Board will play a key role in developing these projects.”